False spirits and doctrines invading the church as been mentioned by Marilyn, Gary, and myself the last few posts. As I read Acts 19:11-19 how when Paul was displaying the gifts of The Spirit in healing people and casting out evil spirits there were those who sought to counterfeit the gift for personal gain (not to glorify God or to see souls delivered and set free), either for fame and prestige of men or financial gain. We see how they were exposed as not being empowered by God and everyone around them saw it and realized the power of God and The Holy Spirit wasn't for sale or to be misused for personal gain. The impact of this public humiliation convicted people to search their hearts and lives and to repent; and in this instance they destroyed/burned all that was an offense to the Holiness of God. Fear gripped the hearts of men as they were convicted of their sins and they confessed and turned to The Lord.

As the spread of coverage of the internet and television stations like TBN grows the money made available by hundreds of millions of viewers has become mindboggling. People are exposed to so many false doctrines and messages designed to get a financial response from viewers in order to fill the pockets of men and organizations that are no different than the vagabond Jews and the seven sons of Sceva.

My question is, where's the fear? The fear of a Holy, Just, God who has to be grieved by the twisting and manipulating of His Word? How a man stand before TV cameras and look people in the eyes and tell them for X amount of 'seed/gift/offering/donation' they will send them 'special' holy water from Israel; or a special anointed prayer cloth that will heal; or that a miracle will happen financially or loved one will be saved...all for the giving to 'their' ministry.? They have no fear, God hasn't struck them down for their greed nor has He caused them to become a mute so they can't speak the lies, so therefore they continue deceiving and being deceived, robbing and fleecing, giving false hope that will ultimately destroy peoples hope. Where are the godly men who should be standing up and exposing this blight against Christianity? Why aren't teachers and pastors shouting out warnings to the sheep? I think it's because the fear of The Lord is lacking. Yes, God loves us; yes, Jesus died and rose from the dead to set us free; but His Holy Word shows throughout that He will judge sin. I pray for the people doing this, who should know better, to become convicted of their lack of reverence and fear of The Lord and repent.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

It was nice to see Gary even for a short time & know that he is fine & busy doing what the Lord would have him do.

Thanks for that quote as regards Hillsong. Now I have just discovered the reason why they let Homosexuals etc as members. Hillsong organisation is a member of ACC, Australian Christian Churches (AOG & Apostolic - my former denom) & they have signed the `Global Freedom Network Declaration.` Over 1,000 other churches have signed also.

It was an interfaith venture with Christianity, Judaism, Islam & Buddhism. The `smoke screen` is that it is to free slaves, however its statement includes `every human being is entitled to freedom and equality, to live with dignity and to be treated with respect.`

On the face of it we`d say, fine, freedom from slavery, but it includes every human being .....equality, thus incorporating the GLBT...(& 100`s of other letters) Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Trans...etc So organisations are signing this to SHOW that they are `loving, kind, etc` & believe (wrongly) that GLBT... people will come to know the Lord in the atmosphere of their services & being accepted & included.

As to your other thought, `Why don`t ministers stand up against the false teaching etc we see on TV.` I can assure you I see many who do. Some examples -

"So if you are gay, are you welcome at Hillsong Church? Of course! You are welcome to attend, worship with us,
and participate as a congregation member with the assurance that you are personally included and accepted within our community."

Brian Houston
August 4, 2015

Wow I didn't know that. I just like some of their music. The result of that could easily be some weak bro getting pulled down.

I'm not sure the bulletin board is right spot for this but anyway.
Homosexuality (male or female) is caused by a spirit (demon). They find an open door in someones life who has father issues. Deep hurts caused by fathers. More rarely there is a strong demon who gets into someones life and just overpowers them (over time) and forces their will on them until they just finally give up.

My personal opinion on the whole issue is this. In the church we set membership. Outside the church in the world they can live the same as the rest of us. They are still people who just want to live the same way the rest of us do. Even if do I think it is weird strange odd unhealthy and queer. I guess my point is out in society we should just leave them alone. I just wish they would get out of the headlines.

From childhood we're taught the Golden Rule, to treat others the way we want to be treated. As followers of Christ we're told the fulfillment of the Law is to love The Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength...and to love our neighbor as ourselves. A man once asked Jesus how he might inherit eternal life and when Jesus asked him what was written in the law, the man (lawyer) quoted this and Jesus told him it was the right answer and for him to go DO it. The man sought to justify himself by asking Jesus the above question, "who is my neighbor?"

This is when Jesus gave the parable/illustration of the man from Samaria who stopped to help the man going from Jerusalem to Jericho. The man was beaten and robbed and left for dead and a priest came by and passed by on the other side of the road, as did a Levite. But a man from Samaria stopped and showed compassion and helped him. This can all be found in Luke 10:25-37.

Jesus then asked the lawyer which of the three people mentioned was the neighbor to the injured man. He answered by saying the one who showed mercy. Jesus' reply was this, "Go, and do thou likewise."

Remember the question the lawyer asked was about eternal life (going to heaven), notice Jesus didn't say to believe upon The Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved; He didn't tell him to repent and be baptized, although we know both of these instructions are given for coming to salvation. He didn't talk about 'the other side' or heaven; Jesus told him to go live out salvation through actions. (I'm not speaking of works salvation)

How do we live out this command, "Go and do thou likewise."? From this parable as well as life's experiences as Christians we can see that loving our neighbor means loving everyone. Those of different races, religion, political viewpoints, gender, lifestyles, and plain out hard to love people. Loving others isn't selective or when it fits within our schedule. It almost always requires effort and sacrifice, hardly ever convenient, and always costs us something. Living out this command will certainly change our own lives as we learn to care about others. (we have to start caring before we can begin loving)

This is shared from someone who hasn't always obeyed this command nor have I 'arrived' there now, but I do seek to walk in this love for my neighbor through actions that reflect this love, both spiritual by sharing the good news of The Gospel and showing compassion and mercy to people needing it. Everyone, anywhere, anytime, whenever the opportunity presents itself.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

We're told by Paul, James, and Peter that we're to rejoice in the midst of trials and suffering. Doing this seems like something that within our natural thought process is impossible. It's considered to be a paradox.

Paradox: Something (such as a situation) that is made up of two opposite things and that seems impossible but is actually true or possible.

Paul writes in II Corinthians 6:10 that though he is sorrowful he's always rejoicing and while poor he has everything. James writes in James 1:2 that we're to rejoice when we fall into various trials and temptations. Peter tells us in I Peter 1:6 also that we should rejoice, even if we're going through temptations and trials. There's more than a single reason for trials and there's more than just one benefit that comes from rejoicing while in the midst of them.

James tells us that we're taught patience and are brought unto perfection by them. Peter says ..."if need be...", sometimes it's needful in our learning to trust The Lord. There are times we go through things that are for our correction (chastisement), yet still we should be joyful in our hearts knowing that our heavenly Father loves us and is doing it for our own good.

It's possible to be feeling pain or sorrow, or to be undergoing stressful situations and still have a heart attitude of rejoicing. That's not discounting that the pain and suffering isn't real, but it's learning to rejoice while going through it because we know God is faithful. We have joy because we know we're saved, that He has adopted us as sons and daughters, that we have eternal hope regardless of whatever we go through in this life.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 sums this attitude up, he says regardless of the circumstances he will rejoice in The Lord, and joy in the God of his salvation.

It's part of our Christian growth in The Lord, bringing us into perfection, total trust in Him.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

In Matthew chapters five through seven we find Jesus giving instructions on how followers of Him are to conduct their lives. He reminds them of what they had been trying to adhere to (and failing), the Law from OT scripture and passed down to them through oral reminders by their forefathers. He spoke of "ye have heard" and "it hath been said" in reference to OT scripture, but then He tells them what is required of them (us). But I say unto you is calling for more than outward actions, it's calling for total obedience from the heart. It's also calling us to go beyond the 'law' and the 'letter' of the law.

They were living in a society (Jewish) where their actions could be justified by what had be deemed acceptable. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth was what they went by, but Jesus comes along and says..."but I say unto you..." that we resist not evil, to turn the other cheek. He says that they have 'heard' to love our neighbor and hate our enemies, but He says to love our enemies and to bless those that curse us and pray for them.

Today's society we live in has things that are acceptable and 'lawful' just as they had then. But according to the Words of Jesus they are not acceptable for followers of Him. Legally Americans can kill their unwanted unborn children; people of the same sex has the legal 'right' to be married and live as such; people can change for one gender to the other through medical procedures and it's perfectly acceptable; everyone has the legal right to do any of these within this society...Yet, Jesus is speaking to us just as much now as He was then to them and saying...But I say unto you...What are we going to do with His words? At the end of chapter seven of Matthew He tells us of the end for those who DO (obey) His sayings and those who don't. We can judge ourselves by an honest evaluation of the fruit in our lives; let us choose wisdom and to build upon the foundation of Jesus Christ and what He has said unto us.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

I was thinking upon reasons for gladness of heart, and we know there can be lists that goes on forever, but I wanted to list one that came to mind from scripture.

"I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of The Lord." Ps.122:1

The opportunity to worship together with fellow believers, both with singing unto The Lord and the hearing of His Word is a privilege we shouldn't take for granted. Not only should we be grateful, it should bring joy and gladness to our hearts.

I'm first to confess that I'm not always as appreciative as I should be and as joyful and glad, but I am thankful for the freedom to assemble and worship God with others with the same desire. Not every believer has this opportunity and freedom in this world, so let's be diligent to the thankful and glad when Sunday morning gets here. And of course we also know that thankfulness, gladness of heart, and gratitude isn't something we express just one day a week, it's a state of mind in which we should live at all times.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

Jeremiah went through a lot both physically as well as spiritually. In Lamentations chapter three he describes his troubles and how peace is far removed from him and bitterness has overtaken him. He said he had forgotten the prosperity of the past; but then he recalled who God was and His mercies and it lifted his spirit.

"This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

It is of The Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.

The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore I will hope in Him." Lamentations 3:21-24

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Romans 5:8

The love of God, take a few moments to meditate upon this scripture, let it sink in. The sacrificial love of God in Christ Jesus, dying for us while we were yet buried in our sins and delivering us...All a display of His Great love. Take time to thank Him, shower Him with praise and worship, bless His Holy Name. Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! There is no other name given under heaven whereby we might be saved.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

Even when we're chastened by The Lord His plans are for our good, and His love is not diminished. Israel, because of disobedience, was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar into Babylon. Even while they were there God extended His love to them and encouraged them, promising to deliver them after seventy years. But in the mean time He told them to be productive where they were. He commanded to build houses, plant gardens, get married and have children so that even though they were being punished He didn't want they decrease. He told them to pray for the place He had them in, (Babylon) and to not listen to any other voices offering anything more or less than what He had decided for their punishment (70 yrs). This is the WORD of The Lord unto His people giving them hope...

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith The Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

As a person grows older the strength required for daily tasks become more of an issue, things readily available in our youth become evasive as we age. Scriptures take on new meaning, or at least for some people we start quoting them more often. <grin>
I have always been physically fit and active in sports and outdoor activities, now as I am going through the 'senior citizen' years I find myself challenged to do what I once could do with ease. Almost daily faced with aches and pains of some sort or another I find myself crying out unto The Lord and meditating on His Words about finding strength in Him. Scriptures like "the joy of The Lord is my strength" and what God told Paul when he was crying out for deliverance, "My grace is sufficient for you, and my strength is made perfect in weakness."

When God says that His strength is made perfect in our weakness, He is telling us that when we come unto Him totally unable to cope/deal with/make it happen/find it within ourselves and humbling ourselves before Him and seeking His strength to overcome the problems we face, He is there to grant everything we need for the situation facing us. It's in Him, not ourselves, that we are victorious.

Meditating daily on verses from His Word, especially in Psalms about strength from God and praying always is the key to overcoming weakness and finding strength.

Am I saying that there will be no more pains or problems, weakness and lack of stamina? No, I'm saying what He says, His grace is sufficient for whatever we face. His joy is our strength.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

Finding Strength...
He is telling us that when we come unto Him totally unable to cope/deal with/make it happen/find it within ourselves and humbling ourselves before Him and seeking His strength to overcome the problems we face, He is there to grant everything we need for the situation facing us. It's in Him, not ourselves, that we are victorious.

Really agree with that. Jesus said without him we can do nothing.
Everything works better when we look to the Lord in all our life.

I've started claiming Ps 103/1-5 every morning.

In part . . . "My youth is renewed like the eagles". Abraham got it and I'm holding on for it too.

Traditions verses The Truth...or how washing something makes it dirtier

In the seventh chapter of Mark we see Jesus asked about His disciples not washing their hands before eating, as the Pharisees and Jewish traditions were. Nowhere did God command Israel to wash their hands before eating nor did Moses. They were constantly adding to the burden of the people with their own commands and traditions plus changing the ones God had given(honor father and mother verses 10-13).

Legalism (man made laws and traditions) brought bondage and with the bondage came blindness (spiritual). So although they were 'washing' their hands (and cups and pots) because of the legalistic mindset of outwardly following 'rules'; their hearts were unclean, and therefore even after the washing they were made dirtier.

I've lived and experienced this just as some of you have; peoples opinions were taken and made into laws, our own self righteousness and 'checklist' mentality often resulted in outward obedience without inward change.(speaking for myself)

The Truth will set a person free if we will just humble ourselves and seek Jesus and confess the Pharisee attitude.

It's one thing to voice our opinion on something(do's and don't's,) it's something else altogether to demand everyone to do as we think it should be. Actually that's adding to God's Word and it's bringing into bondage God's people, rather than freeing them.

Mark 7:1-13

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

In Mark as well as Matthew the account of Jesus cursing the fig tree is given. Have you ever wondered why this was recorded when so many other important events were happening during the last days of Jesus' earthly ministry? We seemed to use Mark 11:22-24 as a quoted scripture regarding our 'faith' walk quite often back 'in the day'. But it can also be to point out other things Jesus was telling his followers, such as 'bearing fruit'. We know if He had really been want something to eat He could have just spoke into existence whatever He desired. Yet He choose a tree that had no fruit; plenty of foliage (leaves), but no fruit. It looked like it would be a productive tree from a distance because it looked healthy with full foliage, but it bore no fruit.

Notice in the next few verses we're told how Jesus came to the Temple and ran out the money changers because they had made God's house a place of finance rather than a place of worship. It appeared to be (from outward observance) to be busy with God's work going on (sacrifices, worship, prayer) but Jesus saw it as an offense against God. Remember in Jeremiah chapter seven where God spoke through the prophet about how the people were busy with their Temple worship and rituals and yet God was watching their hearts and saw what was really happening. Another example is found in Revelation when Jesus is addressing the seven churches, Sardis had the 'reputation' as being a healthy God centered church but yet Jesus had to point out their lack and what He had against them.

We know the scripture stating that man looks on the 'outward' appearance, but that God looks at our hearts and there are many other scriptures admonishing us to follow Jesus from our hearts not just outward motions, to be doers of the Word and not just hearers only. The Word tells us that the eyes of The Lord are searching to and fro seeking those whose hearts are truly set upon Him; not who goes about 'looking' like believers, but followers of The Way, The Truth, and The Life...Jesus. Bearing fruit, not just looking like a healthy fruit tree.

Just something to meditate upon and examine ones heart about. (Mostly a reminder to myself...it's so easy to get caught up in just going through the motions of religion rather than guarding our hearts against becoming lukewarm and living on autopilot.)

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

"But what saith it? The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith; which we preach.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth The Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shall be saved.

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Foe the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.

For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him."

Romans 10:8-12

Believing and confessing from our hearts that Jesus is whom He claimed to be (sinless Son of God) and that His sacrifice was atonement for our sins and that God raised Him from the grave and He is seated at the right hand of The Father and will come to earth again to gather us unto Himself, is the single most important thing any person could ever do. If you're reading this and haven't made Him your personal Saviour, why delay another day? Turn unto Him and believe The Gospel message, confess your faith in it to be true and receive this free gift of eternal life today. We've all sinned and came short of God's standard, there is only one way for us to have eternal life, it's through faith in Jesus Christ.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

I was reading somewhere on a christian discussion about repentance being a gift from God or not. Some thought it was, others say that nowhere in The Bible does it say that repentance is a gift. So it got me thinking what does Paul mean when he's writing to Timothy concerning how a servant of The Lord is to conduct himself. Timothy 2:25 says: "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth."

It has been my experience in my own life as well as observing others that no one can turn to God from themselves and their sins without God's working in our hearts. II Corinthians 7:10 speaks of Godly sorrow (for our sins) leading to repentance. For a person to have Godly sorrow for our sins we must first have experienced conviction from The Holy Spirit where we become aware of God's holiness and righteousness and our complete unworthiness. The Word of God (Bible) is where our eyes begin being opened to the truth. Someone instructing/preaching/explaining the Gospel is how God has ordained for this to happen. The Holy Spirit convicts and reveals, both God's standard and our failure to be able to live up to that standard without a new heart and that that new heart(regeneration) can only come from faith in Jesus, repentance, and making Him Lord of our lives.

Yes, we have to make the choice but we would never choose God/Jesus unless He calls us. (Eph 1:4) It's on us to receive these truths of God's plan of redemption through Christ Jesus, (faith/believe) but even this is a gift from God. (Eph.2:8)

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

I was meditating on scriptures in God's Word that apply to fear, anxiety, worries/cares, ect. We know that when going through any of these that it's the peace of God we need and we know it comes from faith in Him and His Word.

Everyone probably has a handful of promises memorized such as Isaiah 26:3, Phil. 4:6-7, I Peter 5:7.
But as I was meditating concerning the key to actually receiving this peace from God or just quoting them without actually seeing what is being told for believers to do, I am reminded that we must apply actions.

In Isaiah we're shown: :Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Paul writes in Philippians to make our request know to God through prayer, supplication, with thanksgiving. Peter tells us to cast all our cares on Him.

For me I've had battles with fear, anxiety, and worry more than I should have.....due to any number of excuses, but the truth is not walking in the spirit and allowing the enemy inroads. (and at times I've been my own worst enemy) So did The Lord give me that perfect peace that passes understanding when I sought it while in the midst of trial/chastening? Yes, but I had to apply myself to doing what He was telling me. Stay in His presence (usually start off with repentance for not already being there), I have to press in through prayer and being thankful.

Another key for me has been to remember...the examples of Israel's failure to remember; the reminder from Paul to take heed over and over. David encouraged himself when facing the giant by remembering what God had faithfully done in delivering him from the lion and bear, it gave him confidence that He would deliver him once more. Same for us today, remember all we have to be thankful for and know our Father loves us and it's His will give us His peace and comfort our hearts.

We will go through adversity Psalms 23:4 (He is with us) Is.59:19B The enemy will come in like a flood, BUT The Lord will raise up a standard. Everything we need He has already provided, every answer we seek is already given.

Jesus said in John 14 that He was leaving us with His peace as well as The Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into all truth and so we wouldn't be comfortless. We're to comfort ourselves (remember) with these truths at all times, especially when being assaulted by fear, worry, anxiety.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

I was very encouraged by your thoughts there bro. My hubby, Trevor had just been taken off to hospital with a suspected stroke. I visited him today and he is able to move and talk, somewhat, and they will do tests on him tomorrow.

Over the last few years there has been a TV ad that plays off the word 'priceless'. Often we see a clip on TV or internet about someone purchasing something for a huge amount of money. But there is one thing that money can't buy, our souls. Not only can we not buy salvation with any amount of money, we can't purchase it with our lives due to the sins we have all committed.

Only Jesus, The sinless sacrificial Lamb of God, could purchase our salvation and He was in heaven with God The Father. But He willingly chose to take on flesh and come to earth to pay the price God required to atone for our sins [death ]and make salvation possible to mankind to whom there is no other way apart from faith in Him. ( Acts 4:12 ) Take some time this week to meditate on this truth and this sacrifice of LOVE that was made for you and me, all ALL who will receive it through faith, knowing and understanding that it is by God's GRACE alone that we are offered this precious gift. This was/is/and always will be most expensive purchase ever made, and the price has been paid in full and is offered freely to us.

Here are some scriptures showing these truths: If you are someone who doesn't know Jesus as YOUR Lord and Saviour, read carefully these scriptures and allow God's Grace and Mercy to convict your heart and believe in Him who gave Himself for YOU. I invite you to click on these links and meditate upon them.

John 3:16

I John 4:10

Rom. 3:23

Rom.5:8

I Tim. 2:6

I Corinthians 6:20

Is. 53:5

Eph. 1:7

John 15:13

Rom.4:25

Col.2:10-15

Gal.3:13-14

Rom. 10:9-10

[Updated on: Tue, 24 October 2017 09:55]

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

I was thinking about the post I shared concerning the greatest gift ever and the price that was paid by Jesus, and grace and how it's grace and grace alone that allows someone like me (and you) to come to saving faith in Jesus.

You can do a word study on the two words "but God", and find that mostly it sums up the fact that man, because of our sins, was hopelessly lost and without ANY hope and at that point God steps into the picture and rescues us, time after time. And of course the greatest rescue of all was accomplished at Calvary by Jesus when He willingly sacrificed His life to redeem us from our hell bound deserving destination.

"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall NO flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

But NOW the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets." Romans 3:20-21

"But GOD commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."Romans 5:8

I was also thinking about the point I was making concerning do's and don'ts and the laws we allowed ourselves to be put under years ago, and how clearly Scripture lays out for us the difference between works and grace. Man couldn't keep 'works/law' then, nor can we today (though we certainly liked to try). Hopeless, that's what we were, utterly hopeless...and then comes those two words, But God and everything changes. We have a Saviour, a deliverer, Christ the redeemer, Lord, King, friend, and life giver. A lost and hopeless mankind was given a pardon, set free from the just and earned sentence of death unto eternal life, ALL because of God's Love/Mercy/Grace for us..."For God SO loved the world..."

Dead, we were dead in our sins...BUT GOD...

Just a reminder, it's always about HIM, not us, Him. If He is not your Lord and Saviour, ask Him to become your Lord and Saviour, confess your hopeless state unto Him and ask for a repentant heart, believe upon Him and confess Him openly, salvation is offered to all who will put their trust in Him and Him alone, not your works or obedience to certain rules...

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

It seems to me that today more and more professing Christians are crossing denominational lines(for lack of a better word).
I see many people partaking of Lent(non-Catholics), Methodist, Presbyterian, Anglicans, Episcopalians all have some form of 'self-denial' leading up to what they celebrate as Easter. It's odd, that if you talk with a person from these denominations, they'll denounce everything Catholic, yet they join in with them with these practices.

Someone I know has given up chocolate and Cokes for 40 days to 'show' Jesus that she wants to sacrifice like He did.....(and she ain't Catholic, and is quick to point out their faults such as praying to Mary and works salvation)

I never cease to be amazed by what I see going on around me in the name of religion/christianity. Today as I was driving in to work I saw a man holding up a cardboard sign on the side of the highway, as I got close enough to read it I had to do a double take. He was advertising "ASHES TO GO" in front of a Lutheran church. They had a tent set up in front of the church with people passing out small containers of ashes as folks drove through (reminded me of Mickey D's).

So all the way to work I was thinking of what the heck people was going to do with ashes and what it had to do with Jesus. Then I heard on the radio that it was the first day of LENT (40 days leading up to Easter). After Googling some I see it's for rubbing on the forehead in the shape of a cross. Can you imagine the super spiritual effort it requires in order to give up chocolate on Valentine's day? Pleeeezzzz!

Giving up indulgences for 40 days in order to identify with Jesus' sufferings and the 40 days He was in the wilderness sounds spiritual but that came straight out of Catholicism...

Think I'll go have another cup of 'French vanilla' coffee. <smile>

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

I was talking with a long time client (Christian) about the 'wall' president Trump wants to build and the reaction of people with different views and opinions on it. There are so many thoughts concerning how it should be done and who pays for it and when. I started thinking about another wall in another time, the wall that surrounded Jerusalem. There was a time when that wall was torn down and left in shambles for many years. The children of Israel were in captivity for their sins and rebellion in the land of Persia. Nehemiah was used by God to rebuild the walls, He had him go back, and in the face of adversity and ridicule, to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. What's amazing, even by today's technology, is that they were completed in 52 days.(and that's 2 1/2 miles of wall 40 feet high and 8 to 10 feet thick)

But Nehemiah stayed in Jerusalem for twelve years, why? Because it was never about 'the wall' being rebuilt, it was about God rebuilding His people. Restoring Israel to their home, reestablishing worship and service to Him. And after Nehemiah left to go back to his 'job' in Persia serving king Artaxerxes; the people and priests fell right back into disobedience. Marrying outside of God's will; allowing a Moabite, Tobiah, to have a dwelling place in the house of God.

So Nehemiah went back once again to straighten out the children of Israel. At the end of the book of Nehemiah he prays a prayer for Israel and then he ends by asking God to remember him for good. After that there wasn't anything recorded (in the Bible) for over 400 years...then Jesus come into the picture, why did He come? to restore us unto Him, to save those which were lost...that's everyone.

So, is a wall around the southern border of america the answer to america's problems? Or, is the problem a spiritual problem with the hearts of people who need Jesus. Could God use the building of 'Trump's wall' to draw people together to serve Him? He's God, He can do whatever He wants to do, but we could build a wall all the way to the clouds and it won't stop crime, drugs, and illegal activity. Only a change in hearts of people will results in peace. Repentance and obedience to God, loving one another and actions that reflect that love.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

Happiness, everyone wants to be happy. right? Ever heard anyone say they wanted to be sad or depressed, empty feeling or unfulfilled? Of course not. As Christians we're told by Jesus how to be happy; yet how many are willing to obey Him and find this true happiness.

John 13:1-17 lays out what He expects from His followers and He uses Himself to illustrate this. Here we find Jesus just a few days from going through the most horrific and painful experience any person could ever imagine, suffering the full wrath of God against sin. (and never forget, those sins were mine and yours that He died for, not His, He NEVER sinned.) Yet with all this weighing against His mind and spirit He once again took time to instruct His followers in how they/we were to live our lives. He stopped the meal and humbled Himself by first disrobing and then going from disciple to disciple washing their feet; although Peter had to have it explained to him first. Then He told them that what He had done was an example of how we are to live our lives, as servants one to another, just as He, The King of Kings and Lord of Lord had came as a humble servant laying down His life as a sacrifice on our behalf. We are to spend our lives serving Gods' Kingdom and the people of God.

Now most everyone who professes Christ as Lord and Saviour knows this passage of scripture, especially this week when most of Christendon celebrates His resurrection. But in verse 17 He says if you know these things, "...happy are ye if ye do them." The better translation would be blessed, we are blessed when we are serving the body of Christ. If you take the time to read this, please allow God's Word to speak to your spirit, pray and seek The Lord as how to begin to walk in God's blessing (happiness). Maybe take a moment to encourage a fellow believer, or share with someone the wonderful news that Jesus Christ has came to redeem them from their sins and set the captives free and the debt has been paid in full, that God LOVES them and this sacrifice was made on their behalf and through faith in Him they can have eternal life and live in His awesome presence forever.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

"The fight of faith often involves discerning the difference between our feelings and the Truth."

Matt Mason, senior pastor, The Church at Brook Hills

How true is this for a Christian! We were taught this truth many years ago by HEF. Yet, the battle continues throughout our Christian walk. The battle is often in the mind and thoughts; "I feel so alone and worthless..." one might think: God tells us in His Word that He is always with us, that nothing can separate us from the love of God, that we've been purchased by the Blood of Jesus, that because of His great love for us He suffered and died in our place to redeem us unto Himself. "I feel guilty and condemned over sins of the past and present day struggles..." God's Word says that there is no condemnation to those in Christ, that He has removed our sins as far as the east is from the west from us and He remembers them no more. God says that Satan is a liar and for us to resist him and overcome him by the Blood of The Lamb and the word of our testimony. We're told to put on and keep on, the armour of God; to draw near to God in faith...that in all things through prayer and supplications, with Thanksgiving, to make our request made known unto God and He will give us peace through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Sometimes the battle is in the flesh involving physical pain and suffering, our body is aging and presenting symptoms that are real and become a daily battle to overcome. Yet even in these afflictions God promises to be with us. He doesn't allow us to be given more than we can deal with providing we are looking to Him in and through it. He teaches us patience, and gives us experience in His faithfulness to deliver us, resulting in a hope in Him that is unshakable. Chronic pain can lead to depression and anxiety, the enemy tries to influence our attitudes with thoughts of hopelessness...but God says He is our strength (The joy of The Lord is my strength) He over and over reminds us to REMEMBER His faithfulness in the past and draw strength from it (I like to reflect on David and how God delivered him from a bear and a lion as a young boy and how he remembered that when he went up against Goliath...I also use David as a example of God's love and mercy when it comes to forgiveness of sins when the enemy is accusing me of past sin and trying to bring condemnation, that even though David killed a man and committed adultery with his wife God still forgave and restored him...very encouraging.)

Discerning, that is the key word in the above quote; we must be able to know the difference between the truth and a lie, our 'feeling' will not discern correctly, they will mislead us; but God's Word is The Truth and with that Word hidden within our hearts and His Holy Spirit to remind us of those truths we can stand on them in the midst of whatever comes against us and have confidence/faith that He who made the promises is faithful to keep them...forever, until we see Him in all His Glory...Praise The Lord, Praise The Lord.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

Matthew 5:13-16 is straight from the mouth of Jesus, it's to us, all who name the Name of Christ. So why is our (the body of Christ/church) witness/influence not bearing more fruit? Why is it that we don't shine forth like a light on a hill? Why aren't the lost convicted of their ungodliness by our life's witness?

Charles Spurgeon said this in a sermon over 100 years ago:

"I believe that one reason why the church of God at this present moment has so little influence over the world is because the world has so much influence over the church."

We (the church/body of Christ), look and act so much like the world that what light is there is just a flickering candle as opposed to a shining bright light giving hope to those lost and walking in darkness. Our lives should draw people to God and His Glory, showing the way for them to behold the wonder of God and His great love. Leading to faith and trust in Jesus and His work at Calvary to redeem lost sinners.

Again as with almost everything I post on this forum I'm writing first to remind myself, then if someone else can be encouraged/edified/exhorted/admonished to good works and reminded of what we all already know we should be doing (but so often aren't), then praise the Lord.

[Updated on: Mon, 24 September 2018 11:19]

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

Matthew 5:13-16 is straight from the mouth of Jesus, it's to us, all who name the Name of Christ. So why is our (the body of Christ/church) witness/influence not bearing more fruit? Why is it that we don't shine forth like a light on a hill? Why aren't the lost convicted of their ungodliness by our life's witness?

Charles Spurgeon said this in a sermon over 100 years ago:

"I believe that one reason why the church of God at this present moment has so little influence over the world is because the world has so much influence over the church."

We (the church/body of Christ), look and act so much like the world that what light is there is just a flickering candle as opposed to a shining bright light giving hope to those lost and walking in darkness. Our lives should draw people to God and His Glory, showing the way for them to behold the wonder of God and His great love. Leading to faith and trust in Jesus and His work at Calvary to redeem lost sinners.

Again as with almost everything I post on this forum I'm writing first to remind myself, then if someone else can be encouraged/edified/exhorted/admonished to good works and reminded of what we all already know we should be doing (but so often aren't), then praise the Lord.

Hi James,

`Let not your heart be troubled, bro....` The Lord is faithful and is well able to accomplish what he desires.

1. Israel. Jerusalem is the city that is set on the hill, a light to the world. (Matt. 5: 14)This will be fulfilled in the millennium. (Micah 4: 1 & 2)

2. The Body of Christ. The Lord is not about influencing or changing the world system but preparing it for judgment. (Ps. 110: 1)

The Lord is building up His body by His Holy Spirit, all over the world, (& down through the centuries). In every town, village and country, the Holy Spirit is bringing the Body to maturity in Christ - `...till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the fullness of the statue of Christ..` (Eph. 4: 13)

Man`s denominations, are joining ever closer with the world system and believers are leaving and gathering in small groups, encouraging, edifying and building each other up as by the Spirit of God. (Eph. 4:16)

Be encouraged bro the Body is holding fast to the Head -

`... from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase which is from God.`

Turn your eyes upon Jesus and believe He is doing what He said He will do.